Master of the Mix
IAR Alumni DJ Yonny is competing on BET's Master of the Mix Season 2. On Master of the Mix Season 2, BET brings together top notch DJs from across America to determine who’s number one! Show your support and VOTE VOTE VOTE FOR IAR'S OWN DJ YONNY on The Master of The Mix Fan Favorite Voting polls,
Vote Here!!!!!
Lipstick and Cigarettes
Chris Orsi is not only a 1999 IAR graduate but is also the front man for the 80’s infused pop/rock musical sensation, Lipstick and Cigarettes, hailing from New Jersey. Today, Chris is working for Tricore Interactive, an e-learning company located in Princeton, NJ. His role as Senior Graphic Designer involves all kinds of media. Chris’s duties include editing and correcting narration, mixing music loops, sound design, and creating sound effects. He has not only assisted a number of professional voice talents but has also performed voice-over work himself. Chris helped build the company’s in-house recording studio, which is primarily used for voice-over work. He also creates graphic designs for Tricore including book layouts, interactive animations, and websites. On top of all that, Chris has his own project studio where he recorded and mixed Lipstick and Cigarettes’ first EP, which is self-titled.
Lipstick and Cigarettes has been together since 2009 and consists of Chris Orsi on guitar and vocals, Sarah MacMillan on bass and Erik Cabral on drums. This talented trio has been compared to The Fixx and The Knack, with musical influences spanning from Bruce Springsteen and Blondie to Metallica and Muse. They released their self-titled, self-produced debut EP in November 2010. Since then they have been playing their way through Central Jersey’s local music scene at venues such as The Saint, William Paterson University, The Court Tavern, Brewster’s Pub, The Crossroads, and many more. Chris’s advice to anyone trying to break into the audio business is: “There are always opportunities out there that will allow you to do what you love
The best way to get there is by networking and making new friends and contacts. It is also important to keep your skills sharp and learn from as many people as possible".
The band’s self-titled EP is available on iTunes and AmazonMP3. You can also request them on New Jersey Radio Station 88.7FM WPSC and 89.5 FM WSOU’s specialty show Campus Buzz. To hear their music, leave comments and support, check out lipstickandcigarettes.net or like them on Facebook at
facebook.com/lipstickandcigarettes
James “Lord Phat” Catapano hailing out of Brooklyn New York City graduated from IAR in 2009. James is a seasoned pop, hip hop and rock producer with a passion for sound design and post production. During his time here, James won best in overall production at IAR’s June 2009 AFP (Audio For Picture) Awards using the trailer for the 2009 Tim Burton animated film “9”.
That was only the beginning of “LordPhat’s” winning streak. James landed a freelance engineering position at The Drum Factory Studios in Staten Island, NY right after graduating and fully establishing his own project studio in Brooklyn, NY.
In 2011 James produced an upcoming artist album by the name of JR Da Future. The albums is called “Dark liquor on a Sunny Day” and is JR’s second release. Other artists featured on the album are rapper/ vocalist Mallory Knox and lyricist/ assistant Engineer L.A.V. When asked what advice they would give other artist trying to make it in the industry they said you must be involved in every aspect of your music and production. Keeping your focus, never burning bridges and surrounding yourself with positive people are very important things to remember.
“Dark Liquor on a Sunny Day” was reviewed by www.checkmatenewyork.com and can be viewed on page 70 of the July/August 2011 edition of XXL Magazine. You can support James and JR Da Future by liking there facebook and downloading the album on ITunes.
